Taipei, Taiwan, May 18, 2017 - QNAP® Systems, Inc. today urges all users to keep their Windows® operating systems up to date, as the recent outbreak of the WannaCry ransomware attack that targets Windows PCs has caused tremendous disturbances in nearly 150 countries. QNAP also urges users to mitigate the threat of ransomware by developing adequate disaster recovery plans by utilizing the backup and snapshot features in QNAP NAS.

The first line of defense against being affected by malicious software is being careful and practicing sensible usage habits (including regularly updating your software, not opening untrustworthy emails, and not visiting unknown websites). Most antivirus experts agree that regularly backing up data is the most fundamental and important way to defend yourself. Windows users can utilize the free QNAP NetBak Replicator backup utility to periodically back up PC files to QNAP NAS, while all users should enable snapshots to protect NAS data. It is easy to choose from multiple versions of snapshots to restore data whenever needed.

Snapshots can also record the metadata of files outside the file system and allow users to preserve and restore multiple versions of the same file, folder or even the entire volume. If ransomware attacks or an unexpected situation arises on the system, users can quickly and easily revert back to the previous state that the snapshot has recorded. Snapshot Replica facilitates double protection that replicates snapshots to a remote QNAP NAS or server.

QNAP Labs have simulated ransomware attacks, and confirms that QNAP snapshots can protect and restore data . As ransomware continues to grow as a threat against companies and individuals, no operating systems should be considered safe from attack, and making regular backups should be considered the primary method of protecting data from attack. QNAP again urges our users to enable backup and snapshot features to help protect their precious data. For more details about mitigating the threat of ransomware attacks, please visit https://www.qnap.com/solution/ransomware/en-us/index.php